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    ゾロ目ナンバー (matching digits license plate)

    Grammar & Usage

    noun, fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This is a compound noun formed by combining 'ゾロ目' (zorome), meaning 'matching digits' or 'same numbers' (especially on dice or cards), and 'ナンバー' (nanbaa), a loanword from English 'number', referring specifically to a license plate number in this context. It directly translates to 'matching digits number' and refers to car license plates where the sequence of numbers consists of identical digits (e.g., 7777, 8888).

    Sample sentences

    友人は車のゾロ目ナンバーにこだわって、抽選で8888を取得しました。

    My friend was particular about getting a matching digits license plate for his car and obtained 8888 through the lottery.

    ゾロ目ナンバーは縁起が良いとされ、特に人気があります。

    Matching digits license plates are considered good luck and are particularly popular.

    彼のスポーツカーには、希望ナンバーで選んだ7777のゾロ目ナンバーが付いています。

    His sports car has a 7777 matching digits license plate, which he chose through the desired number system.

    Quick facts

    loanword_origin:ナンバー (nanbaa) is a gairaigo (loanword) from English 'number', but in this context, it almost exclusively refers to a car's license plate.
    pronunciation_note:ゾロ目 (zorome) is pronounced with the 'zo' sound, not 'zoro'.
    cultural_significance:Matching digits license plates are often considered lucky or stylish in Japan, and people sometimes pay extra to obtain specific 'lucky' numbers (like 7777 or 8888) through a lottery system for desired license plates (希望ナンバー制度 - kibou nanbaa seido).

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    友人は車のゾロ目ナンバーにこだわって、抽選で8888を取得しました。

    My friend was particular about getting a matching digits license plate for his car and obtained 8888 through the lottery.

    ゾロ目ナンバーは縁起が良いとされ、特に人気があります。

    Matching digits license plates are considered good luck and are particularly popular.

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